Reno Fly Shop Fly Lab
We are starting a new feature this month. The RFS Fly Lab will be a place for us to share some of the fly patterns we tie for ourselves and our clients. We will also be relying upon our guides, professional tyers and YOU to help out and bring new patterns, techniques and materials to the Fly Lab.
June’s featured fly is Jan’s Draggin’ Nymph. This is the fly we featured in
Episode 16 of the Reno Fly Shop Podcast
Introduction/History
Dragon fly nymphs can take up to four years to develop and if they reach maturity in the wintertime they will remain in the water until it warms enough to hatch into an adult. This means that these tasty bites are around a lot for trout to feed on and they represent a pretty good snack.
Similar to Damsel nymphs Dragonfly nymphs will adapt to the color of their surrounding. At Pyramid Lake the nymph will often take on the tan color of the sandy bottom, while the inhabitants of Sierra lakes and reservoirs will take on more of an olive color to camouflage into the aquatic vegetation. The rust color is a great fly when chasing Carp. The natural dragonfly nymph will take on the tannin rich color of anaerobic vegetation and mud common to Carp waters.
It is not uncommon to hook one of these nymphs at Pyramid Lake on a streamer or Tui Chub pattern. They are very active on the bottom and will crawl towards the shore during the right conditions. Here is a pic that will give you an idea on size and color.
Step-by-Step instructions for tying your own
Step 1: Lay thread down and tie in dumb bell eyes.
Step 2: Secure chenille at rear of hook.
Step 3: Create a dubbing loop near the chenille with the angora goat. Don’t forget to bring thread forward to just behind dumb bells.
Step 4: Wrap chenille forward. Tie off behind eyes and trim.
Step 5: Palmer dubbing loop forward separating wraps. Tie off behind eyes.
Step 6: Pick hackle feather and tie in at butt end. Hint: trim several feather fibers on each side of quill to create barbs. This will keep feather from slipping when tied in.
Step 7: 2-3 wraps with hackle feather behind eyes. Tie off with three wraps of thread.
Step 8: Create dubbing worm on thread with Olive dubbing. Bring thread to eye of hook.
Step 9: Dub head by wrapping behind eyes and then around eyes. Whip finish and trim. Great job!!! Let us know what you think and how this pattern fishes!!!
Material Kits Available
To make things even easier we have put together Material Kits with all of the materials and step-by-step instructions on how to put your very own together. When you pick your kit up ask us about some of the unique alternatives we put in our own patterns.
Our Draggin Nymph Tying Kit includes all of the material you will need to tie your own olive fly.
- Jan’s Draggin Nymph Size 8 (finished fly tied by Jan himself)
- Daiichi 1530 size 8
- Black painted lead dumbbell eyes
- Cactus Chenille Medium Olive
- Angora Goat Dubbin Olive Brown
- Hen Saddle Grizzly Olive
- Olive thread
- Step-by-step instructions with color images
If you are interested in the instructions alone and would like an electronic version of the pattern fill out this form and we will email one to you right away.
If you can’t make it to the shop to pick up your tying kit, give us a call and we will be stoked to mail one to you right away.
Let us know how yours fishes and any variations you try when tying your own.
RFS Fly Lab
The RFS Fly Lab is a monthly feature. Each month there will be a great new pattern. One we fish and that is working in our local waters during the month. Let us know what you think in the comment section and what flies you might suggest for upcoming patterns.
Enjoy!